Sen. Dan Quick

District 35

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Due to rising concerns surrounding the prevalence of COVID-19, the Nebraska legislature is suspending the 2020 session until further notice. This decision was made based on advice given to Speaker Scheer by members of the executive committee, Governor Ricketts, and public health authorities. I believe this to be a wise and appropriate measure taken to protect the health and safety of our fellow Nebraskans. The legislature may be called back to session as early as March 23rd to pass emergency appropriation.

Now that the legislative session has been postponed, I feel it is best to let my staff work remotely. I want to continue to ensure our constituents are heard so please do not hesitate to reach out – you can reach me at dquick@leg.ne.gov. Email is the best way to get in touch.

We are halfway through the second session of the 106th Legislature. So far this year we have held floor debate in the mornings and had hearings for bills in their respective committees in the afternoon. I sit on the Banking, Insurance and Commerce Committee on Monday and Tuesday, and the Natural Resources Committee on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. It has been very rewarding to hear from testifiers and learn about bills in depth while in committee. I have also introduced my own bills during these public hearings.

In January, two of my bills had public hearings (LB846 and LB911) and the Legislature engaged in debate on one of my carryover bills from the previous legislative session (LB287). In February, committees held hearings on additional legislation I introduced that will specifically address the health and safety of Nebraskans.

On February 12th the Health and Human Services Committee held a hearing on LB840, a bill which would include electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) in the Nebraska Clean Indoor Air Act and ensure that ENDS devices cannot be used in public spaces or inside places of employment. I made LB840 my priority bill this year because I recognize the detrimental impact vaping will continue to have on our youth if it is not curtailed. There are adverse health effects associated with secondhand exposure to aerosol vapors, and this legislation is one important step in reducing the amount of nicotine and other dangerous chemicals emitted by ENDS devices in public spaces. The bill had its first round of debate on February 26th and was advanced to the second round. I look forward to working with my colleagues to strengthen and advance this bill in the coming weeks.

On February 20th the Judiciary Committee held a hearing on LB1048, a bill which creates the offense of sexual assault by a school employee and requires the Department of Health and Human Services to notify the Commissioner of Education if they are investigating a teacher for assault of a student. This legislation is important because it criminalizes school employees who groom and otherwise manipulate students in order to sexually assault them, and it also allows the Commissioner of Education to coordinate resources and investigate alleged instances of abuse. I appreciate the testifiers who came to share their stories with the Judiciary committee, and I will work with members of the committee to advocate for this change in policy to protect children in our schools.

On February 24th, LB424 was heard on the floor of the Legislature. LB424 is my carryover bill from last session, and it broadens the Nebraska Municipal Land Bank Act to allow cities throughout the state to create or join a landbank. Cities in Douglas and Sarpy County are currently the only areas that have access to this tool. This bill would also help cities address abandoned properties through the use of land banks, allowing them to simultaneously address workforce housing issues.

Legislation like LB424 will make neighborhoods safer by fixing dilapidated, unused buildings by expanding the opportunity to form land banks across the state of Nebraska. There will be further debate on LB424 this session, and I will continue to collaborate with stakeholders to advance this important tool for our municipalities.

As we head towards the second half of the legislative session and engage in all-day debate, I want to hear your thoughts. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns you may have at dquick@leg.ne.gov or at (402)-471-2617.

With the legislative session underway, I’d like to share information on some of the bills I have introduced on behalf of District 35.

On January 24th, LB287, a carryover bill from last session, was heard on the floor of the Legislature. LB287 is a bill which changes and provides duties for the Game and Parks Commission and changes provisions relating to stamps, permits, fees, and hunter orange display requirements. The changes in this bill, which were requested by the commission, will help them maximize their funds while meeting current customer’s needs and recruiting new customers and outdoor recreation activities. I look forward to advancing this bill during this session to ensure that the commission is functioning successfully.

On January 27th the Business and Labor Committee held a hearing on LB846, a bill which changes provisions relating to compensation under the Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Act. Under this bill, the waiting period an injured employee must undergo to receive compensation is shortened from seven to three days, and the time period for compensation to be paid to injured workers for the initial time out of work is decreased from six to two weeks. This change will make sure that employees are not returning to work earlier than they should because of the fear that they will lose more money. I appreciate the testifiers who came out to share their stories with the Business and Labor Committee.

Finally, on January 30th the Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee held a hearing on LB911, a bill I introduced to start the process of turning the Grand Island Veterans Home Cemetery into a state veterans’ cemetery. I worked with advocates for veterans in Hall County to bring this bill forward, and I have received countless emails and letters of support from constituents. I look forward to working with my colleagues to turn this dream of honoring our veterans into a reality.

I’d like to thank every constituent that has called, emailed, and sent letters to me during this session. Hearing your thoughts and concerns makes it possible for me to stay informed and advocate for you to the best of my ability. Please don’t hesitate to reach out — you can contact me at 402-471-2617 or at dquick@leg.ne.gov.

Senator Quick introduces bill to include electronic delivery systems in the Nebraska Clean Indoor Air Act

Statement from Senator Quick

LINCOLN, NE – This week, State Senator Dan Quick introduced LB 840, a bill which would add electronic nicotine delivery systems in the Nebraska Clean Indoor Air Act. This addition would prohibit the use of these devices, such as e-cigarettes and vapor products, in public places and workplaces. During the 2019 legislative session, Senator Quick introduced and passed the bill which regulated electronic nicotine delivery systems in Nebraska and raised the age to purchase vaping and tobacco products to 19. Quick also introduced an interim study to examine health concerns and secondhand exposure related to the public use of electronic nicotine delivery systems, where public health experts testified that the aerosol vapor these products produce can be harmful.

Last summer, the CDC reported that over 2,500 individuals were hospitalized, and fifty five people have died from injuries related to the use of vapor products. This outbreak of severe lung illnesses confirmed concerns Senator Quick raised on the floor of the legislature about health hazards related to vaping.

“Last year, we were able to raise the age to purchase these products and regulate them in a way we hadn’t before. After we adjourned, we started hearing reports of the vaping epidemic across the country. These products are hazardous to your health, and I’m proud to have led Nebraska’s fight against underage use of these devices. Including these products in our Clean Indoor Air Act is the right thing to do to keep our citizens safe and healthy,” Senator Quick said.

Thank you for visiting my website. It is an honor to represent the people of the 35th legislative district in the Nebraska Unicameral Legislature.

You’ll find my contact information on the right side of this page, as well as a list of the bills I’ve introduced this session and the committees on which I serve. Please feel free to contact me and my staff about proposed legislation or any other issues you would like to address.